Propulsion mechanism for conveyers



Patented July 2s, 1939 UNITED STATES PROPULSION MECHANISM FOR CONVEYEBSCurt G. Joa, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., assignor to Curt G. Joa, Inc.,Manitowoc, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 25, 1938,Serial No. 226,625

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in propulsion mechanism forconveyers. More particularly stated, the invention relates to a devicefor `pulling a web of gauze or the like in which objects may beenfolded.

The invention is of particular utility in the manufacture of sanitarynapkins. The present application is a continuation in part of myapplication 54,669, filed Dec. 16, 1935 which has matured into PatentNo. 2,131,808, Oct. 4, 1938, and relating to a sanitary napkin machine.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby a web may bepulled uniformly in a straight line Without slippage and without damageto a soft pa'd or other object which may be enfolded in the web. Otherobjects will appear from the following disclosure.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a, propulsion device and cut-offmechanism as used in a sanitary napkin machine and representing oneembodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 isa plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view partially in plan and partially in section showing amodified embodiment of my invention particularly adapted for use wherethe tension to be exerted by the propulsion device is very great.

Figure 4 is a view taken in section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is a view taken in section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of one of thepressure blocks used in the device illustrated.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of one of 'themounting plates used to apply pressure in the device shown in Fig. 3.

ALike parts are represented by the same refer-- ence charactersthroughout the several views.

In sanitary napkin machines and in other devices where a web of gauze orother material has to be pulled for a considerable distance through themechanism, the propulsion device which does the pulling must be capableof developingvery substantial tension. where the propulsion deviceoperates in synchronism with a cut-off mechanism so that any slippagewhich may occur between the propulsion device and the web will result indisplacing the cut from its desired location in the web. Yet it is alsonecessary to avoid putting pressure on the web at points whererelatively soft pads or This is particularly true A other articles maybe enfolded therein and may, perhaps, be damaged by undue pressure.

In the device herein disclosed, a continuous web 8 of gauze in which atspaced intervals pads 9 are enfolded is shown, by way of example, as thetype of web for the propulsion of which my improved mechanism is welladapted.` 'I'he web of gauze, between the enfolded pad, is subjected tothe pressure of opposed pressure surfaces of a pair of lconveyers I andII. In the device shown in Figures l and 2, the conveyor I I constitutesan endless belt operating over pulleys I2 and I3 and supported on aconveyer table I4 at the point where pressure engagement of the gauzeoccurs.

The conveyer I0 comprises a pair of spaced chains I and I6,corresponding links of which are connected by pressure blocks I1arranged in series to constitute mutually spaced flexible pressure pads.As shown in Figure 1, this arrangement readily permits the blocks topass about the sprockets I8 and I9 while maintaining them in closelyadjacent positions throughout the series when engaged with the gauze.

The number of pressure vblocks employed is such that the length of eachflexible padwill correspond substantially exactly to the spacing betweenthe absorbent pads 9 which are enfolded in the gauze web 8. Thus each ofthe pressure pads I1 of the conveyer will engage only the unfilledportion of the gauze, clamping the flat portion of. the gauze webtightly to the underlying belt II. To the extent that the belt II isrelatively soft, the individual blocks Il will tend to slightly embedthemselves in the belt and the tension which can be exerted by thedevice may be increased If the distance between successive absorbentpads 9 is increased or decreased, a different conveyer I0 will besubstituted to have the correct number of pressure blocks to fit thespace between the pads. Thus all pressure on the absorbent pads will beavoided and yet a very substantial tension will be rectilinearly exertedupon the gauze to pull it through the mechanism toward the cut-off knife2,0 and its co-acting stationary shear 2|. l

In the device shown in Figures 3 to 7 the gauze web 8 and the enfoldedpads 9 are preferably on edge instead of being horizontally disposed.This fact, and the desire to exert an even greater tension on the gauzeled to the development of the special design here illustrated.

At one side of the path of the gauze, I provide upper and lowersprockets at 28 and 2l.

Attheothersideofthepatiioftliega,

I provide upper and lower sprockets 30 and 8|.

v'I'heehainll which operates oversprocketll hasitslinhconnected bypintlesll whichareextendedtoses'vealsoaspintlesfortheoonnectionofthelinksofchainll,whichoperatesover lthe lower sprocket 2l. Similarly, the chain Il which operates overupper sprocket Il has its links connected by pintles which are extendedat to serve also the linksof the chain l1 which. operate over the lowersprocket Il.

` Upon the pintles Il and It between the respective upper and lowerchains are mounted the pressure blocks 3l and one of which is shownsepablock I. carried by the other set of chains at the other side of thegauze path. 'I'hus when the gauze is engaged between the blocks'of al--ternating sizes, the gauze is corrugated or convoluted in such a waythat the slippage thereof between the pressure blocks is virtuallyimpossible. Therefore, a great deal of tension or pully can be exertedby the device provided the blocks are held in nrm pressure engagementupon the gauze. i

' Such'engagement is assured bythe pressure bars l. which are flexiblyjointed and resiliently supported by the compression springs 4i at eachjoint. The bars are mounted in slots 42 of upstanding guide members 43disposed at each side of the path of the gauze. Sockets at M in guidemembers Il receive the compression springs 4i. 'Ihe links of therespective chains ride on the marginal surfaces' of the jointed bars 40,thus receiving'the pressure of `springs l4i and transmitting suchpressure through the pressure blocks to the gauze.

In this device the sets of pressure blocks on one conveyer systemregister exactly with the sets of pressure blocks on the other conveyersystem to engage only that portionl of the gauze which is intermediatethe enfolded pads s. Therefore.' when the.pads pass through thepropulsive mechanism, they are entirely free of lateral pressure asclearly indicated in Figure 5.

It will, of course, be understood that in each instance means isprovided for positively driving the propulsion conveyers `as desired.'I'he driving connections are fragmentarily illustrated in Figures 1 and4 but4 inasmuch as they may be varied as desired and constitute no partof the present invention, they are not described in detailhere.

I claim:v

1. A propulsion device of the charactery described comprising a conveyerand spaced series of pressure blocks mounted thereon, together k withco-acting means toward which the pressure of said yblocks is directedwhereby said blocks are adapted to engage to work under pressure againstvsaid means for the propulsion of such work.

2. A device of the character described comprisingv the combination withan endless conveyer and opposed co-acting pressure receiving means, ofguide members encircled by said conveyer Vand series of pressure blocksmounted at intervals upon the conveyer, said blocks extendingtransversely thereof and being in close proxnected with its respectiveaiemvo imity within the series and widely spaced between the series.

3.Adevice ofthecharactervdescribedcomprising spaced chains comprisinglinks, guide sprockets for the respective chains, versely extendingpressure blocks arranged in spaced series andtransversely connectingcorresponding portions of the respective chains.

4. In a device of combination of a lpair of propulsion conveyers havingproximate night portions spaced to ,receive without pressure portions ofan intervening web which will not withstand m at least one of saidconveyers being provided at of nexible Dads prof spaced intervals withseries jecting therefrom toward the other of said conveyers for thepressureengagement of work bethecharacterdescribed,tlie

tween the conveyers, said Vpads being close .to l

each other in a given series and said series being comparatively widelyspaced from each other.

5. A device of the character described comprising the combination'with apair of conveyers having proximate nights, one of said Yconveyerscomprising a belt and the other of said convey- `ers comprising a chain,of nexible pressure pads in mutually spaced relation on the chainconveyer and projecting therefrom in a direction to press work towardthe belt conveyer in trav l versing the proximate nights of therespective conveyers, each of said pads on .the chain conveyercomprising a series of blocks mounted on successive links of saidconveyer.

6. In a device of the character described they combination of a pair ofconveyers having proxi- 'mate nights of pressure, pads spaced on therespective conveyers to register in traversing said proximate nights,said conveyers being materially spaced atsaid proximate nights betweensaid pads and said pads having relatively greatly and less greatlyprojecting portions with the greatly projecting portion of the pads ofone conveyer in registry with the less greatly projecting portion of thepad' of the opposing conveyer whereby to convolute between said pads thework engaged thereby between said nights.

'1. In a'device of the character described,the combination with spacedmounting members, of conveyers including nights operable in closeproximity between said members, flexibly jointed rail means mounted onone of said members and arranged in operative supporting relation to oneof said conveyer nights, said mounting member having spring means forthe pressure support of said rail means. 8. In a device ofthe. characterdescribed, the combination with a. support provided with spaced slots,of nexibly jointed rail means mounted in the respective slots, acompression spring mountv ed upon the support' in pressure engagementwith said rail means and a conveyer including spaced chains riding onthe respective rail means to receive resilient support therefrom.

9. In a device of the character described, the

combination with a support provided with spaced slots, of nexiblyjointed rail means mounted in the respective "slots, a compressionspring mounted upon the support in pressure engagement with said railmeans, and a conveyer including spaced chains riding on the respectiverail means to receive resilient support therefrom, said conveyerincluding chains and extending transversely therebetween. i

CURT G. JOA.'y

pressure blocks con-

